English हिन्दी
Connect with us

Entertainment

Chhaava: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis hails Vicky Kaushal-Rashmika starrer, says will think on public demand for tax-free status

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had earlier appealed to the Maharashtra government to grant tax exemption to Chhaava, emphasizing the importance of sharing the legacy of the Maratha king with future generations.

Published

on

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday lauded the recently released film Chhaava, which depicts the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, calling it a historically accurate tribute to the Maratha warrior king.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event celebrating the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Fadnavis expressed his admiration for the film and its portrayal of Sambhaji Maharaj’s valour and contributions.

“I extend my heartfelt wishes to all admirers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj across the globe on this auspicious occasion of his birth anniversary. It is because of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj that we exist today. He taught us self-respect, equality, and unity. He laid the foundation for governance, water and forest conservation, tax structures, and coastal security. He was the first to elevate Marathi to the status of a classical language. As his soldiers, we are committed to upholding his legacy in governing the state,” said Fadnavis, who hails from Nagpur.

The Chief Minister also commended actor Vicky Kaushal, who plays the titular role in Chhaava, and director Laxman Utekar for their efforts in bringing the story of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj to the big screen.

“Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was a figure of immense bravery, knowledge, and valour, yet history has often done him injustice. I am pleased that a film like Chhaava has been made to honour his legacy. Although I haven’t seen the movie yet, those who have watched it have assured me that it stays true to historical facts. I congratulate the producers, director, and Vicky Kaushal for their dedication to this project,” Fadnavis said.

Addressing demands to make Chhaava tax-free, Fadnavis clarified that Maharashtra abolished entertainment tax in 2017, making such exemptions unnecessary. However, he assured that the state government would actively promote the film to ensure it reaches a wider audience.

“While other states may waive entertainment tax to make films tax-free, Maharashtra has already eliminated this tax. We will focus on promoting Chhaava and spreading awareness about the inspiring history of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj,” he added.

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) had earlier appealed to the Maharashtra government to grant tax exemption to Chhaava, emphasizing the importance of sharing the legacy of the Maratha king with future generations.

In a statement, the FWICE highlighted the film’s alignment with the principle of ‘Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah’ (righteousness protects those who uphold it) and urged the government to support its nationwide reach.

“We have written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, requesting tax exemption for Chhaava. This film beautifully portrays the life and courage of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, and it is essential that his story reaches not just Maharashtra but the entire nation,” the FWICE statement read.

Released on February 14, Chhaava stars Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Rashmika Mandanna in a pivotal role. The period drama has been praised for its historical authenticity and powerful storytelling, resonating with audiences and critics alike.

As Maharashtra continues to celebrate the legacy of its warrior kings, Chhaava stands as a cinematic tribute to the enduring spirit of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, ensuring his contributions are remembered and honoured for generations to come.

Entertainment

Why Dhurandhar on Netflix runs shorter than its original theatrical cut

Dhurandhar’s Netflix release sparked confusion over its shorter runtime. The difference is linked to muted dialogue and an updated theatrical cut.

Published

on

Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar has finally made its much-awaited debut on Netflix, just days after the Ranveer Singh-starrer completed a blockbuster theatrical run across India. While the film crossed Rs 1,000 crore domestically and went past Rs 1,300 crore worldwide, its OTT release has triggered confusion and criticism over its shorter runtime.

Several viewers took to social media early Friday, claiming that a “censored” version of Dhurandhar was streaming on Netflix. The runtime displayed on the platform is 3 hours and 25 minutes, nearly nine minutes shorter than the film’s originally reported duration of 3 hours and 34 minutes.

What caused the runtime difference

The confusion stems from changes made after the film’s initial theatrical release. According to the revised censor certificate, Dhurandhar now has an approved runtime of 3 hours 28 minutes and 56 seconds. This updated version replaced the earlier cut in cinemas starting January 1.

The revision followed directions to mute two specific words and one dialogue referring to the Baloch community. These changes were implemented without removing scenes, resulting in a marginally shorter runtime.

What viewers noticed on Netflix

Audiences streaming the film on Netflix observed muted portions during a scene involving Sanjay Dutt’s character, SP Chaudhary Aslam. In the original version, the dialogue included a direct reference to a former Baloch police partner. In the revised cut now available on Netflix, those references are muted, while English subtitles offer a generalised translation without naming the community.

Some viewers also pointed out that the film appears to play slightly faster on the platform, contributing to the perception that content had been trimmed.

Is Netflix streaming a censored cut

Industry insiders have clarified that Netflix is carrying the final theatrical version approved by the authorities. As an OTT distributor, the platform uploads films exactly as provided by the producers. The version streaming online is the same revised cut that has been screening in theatres since January.

Importantly, the film’s intense and graphic depiction of violence remains unchanged in the OTT version.

In short, Dhurandhar on Netflix is not a specially edited or censored cut for streaming. It is the updated theatrical version, adjusted for muted dialogue and presented with a slightly faster frame rate.

Following its OTT release, audiences can now look ahead to the sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, scheduled for release on March 19, 2026.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Border 2 box office collection day 1 crosses Rs 30 crore

Border 2 opens to Rs 30 crore on day one, becoming the biggest opener for Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh.

Published

on

Sunny Deol in Border 2

Border 2 has made an impressive start at the Indian box office, collecting Rs 30 crore on its opening day. The war drama, headlined by Sunny Deol along with Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh, opened to largely positive audience and critical response.

According to industry tracking data, the film recorded an overall occupancy of 32.1 per cent on day one. Night shows contributed the highest footfall, indicating strong word-of-mouth towards the end of the day.

Strong show count and urban traction

Border 2 was screened in nearly 6,000 shows across the country on its opening day. Major centres reported heavy traction, with over 1,000 shows in Mumbai and more than 1,500 shows across the Delhi-NCR region. Trade sources noted that urban circuits played a key role in pushing the film past the Rs 30 crore mark.

The opening performance places Border 2 ahead of Dhurandhar, which collected Rs 28 crore on its first day despite having a similar nationwide show count. Dhurandhar later saw consistent growth over its opening weekend, a trend that Border 2 is also expected to follow.

Career-best opening for key cast members

Border 2 has emerged as the biggest opening-day film in the careers of Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh. For Varun Dhawan, the film marks his first box office success since Bhediya in 2023. Ahan Shetty, who made his debut with Tadap in 2021, has registered his first theatrical hit with the war drama.

For Sunny Deol, however, Border 2 does not surpass the opening records of Gadar 2, which remains his highest-grossing film with a worldwide collection of Rs 686 crore.

Dhurandhar sees slowdown after Border 2 release

Meanwhile, Dhurandhar’s box office run has slowed following the release of Border 2. The film reportedly earned under Rs 1 crore for the first time in nearly 50 days, reflecting the impact of the new release.

Directed by Anurag Singh and produced by JP Dutta and Nidhi Dutta, Border 2 also features Sonam Bajwa and Mona Singh in prominent roles.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Dhurandhar box office collection crosses Rs 1,000 crore worldwide in 21 days

Dhurandhar has crossed Rs 1,000 crore worldwide within 21 days, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 so far.

Published

on

Dhurandhar

Dhurandhar continues its strong theatrical run, achieving a major milestone at the global box office. The Ranveer Singh-led film has crossed the Rs 1,000 crore mark worldwide within 21 days of its release, reinforcing its position as the highest-grossing Indian film of 2025 so far.

Released on December 5, the film has shown sustained momentum both in India and overseas, outperforming other major releases of the year and entering the elite Rs 1,000 crore club.

Strong worldwide and domestic performance

According to figures shared by the makers, Dhurandhar has earned Rs 1006.7 crore globally in just three weeks. With this, it has gone past earlier big releases of the year, including Kantara Chapter 1 and Chhaava, to set a new benchmark in worldwide collections.

In the domestic market, the film has posted equally impressive numbers. Over its first 21 days, Dhurandhar collected more than Rs 650 crore in India. The film earned Rs 28.60 crore on Day 21, which coincided with Christmas, further boosting its overall tally.

A closer look at the India collections shows a strong week-wise performance. The film opened with Rs 218 crore in its first week, followed by Rs 261.50 crore in the second week. Between Days 15 and 20, it added Rs 160.70 crore. With the Day 21 earnings included, the total net domestic collection stands at Rs 668.80 crore, placing it among the biggest box office successes of the year and pushing it closer to the Rs 700 crore mark in India.

Entry into top domestic earners list

With its current numbers, Dhurandhar has also secured a spot among the top ten highest-grossing Indian films based on domestic net collections. The film has overtaken Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal to claim the ninth position on the list, underlining its exceptional run in theatres.

Cast, direction and sequel announcement

Headlined by Ranveer Singh, Dhurandhar features an ensemble cast that includes Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Sara Arjun and Rakesh Bedi. The film is directed by Aditya Dhar, whose storytelling and the performances of the cast have been key factors behind its box office success.

The makers have already confirmed a sequel, which was hinted at in the post-credit scene. The follow-up film is scheduled to release on March 19, 2026, and will hit theatres in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

With its record-breaking global earnings and continued strong performance in India, Dhurandhar is set to close 2025 as one of the most successful Indian films in recent years.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com